Costa Rican Featured on Animal Planet for Crocodile Feedings

The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – Jason Vargas Aguero, 36, shocks domestic and foreign tourists with his jaw dropping feedings of the huge crocodiles resting in the waters of the Tarcoles River near Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.

Aguero’s feats attracted the attention of the Animal Planet channel, and this April 3 they will air a special series called Absurd Pets where the Costa Rican and his crocodiles of the Tarcoles will be featured.

But not everyone is happy with the work of Vargas and others that feed these huge reptiles in their natural habitat. Adrian Arce from the National System of Conservation Areas (Sinac) calls it illegal.

“The law says you cannot feed wild animals. They are not tame. Moreover, it is life threatening to him and makes these wild animals more moody, so they could attack a person at any time,” said Arce.

He said the Wildlife Act can impose fines ranging from 28,000 to 80,000 colones to individuals performing such activities.

He said that this Thursday there will be a meeting between the entities related to tourism and businesses that serve the area to explain the scope of this law.

Diego Vargas, also the from Crocodile Man Tour and works with Vargas Agüero, defended the activity, indicating that he’s been doing this for more than 20 years.

“99% of our clients come to see that activity. The problem is that if you take away this and other tourist attractions, companies cannot survive and have to lay off staff,” said Vargas.

Even Vargas said his company is dedicated to taking care of animals when they appear with wheels marks or other problems while monitoring that the animals are not disturbed in mating season or when they have their young.

The tourism entrepreneur said that his client has insurance for its employees, including the man who feeds him to the crocodiles.

When asked by people why he risks his life to feed these reptiles, Aguero said: “I do it because I’m addicted to the adrenaline.”

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